Have an elderly family friend who lives alone with electrical power charges of $542.00 for December 2014. All meters are smart meters.There are 4 of them on the ranch..Main house . About 2500 sq brick built single story and well insulated, double glazing etc.
Trailer house....now gone and meter shut off.
Lab' and studio..runs about $100 in winter as grandson often sleeps there. It's own meter.
Kennel house.... It's own meter. Now shut off.
Here's some historic facts. She had bills in the $1000.00 per month range up to June last year until I did an audit on energy consumption for her.
I found that the lower heater element ( 12 years old.)for the shower and kitchen tank had welded it self ON. I disconnected it and turned the upper element to 125 degrees.
Found the ( 12 year old ) utility room double element water heater tank ON and set to 170 to 185 degrees. I shut both elements off. She now does laundry with TIDE cold water detergent in cold water.
Out in the back yard is an old kennel house ( Unused now. ) about 10 x30. It had a double element water heater and was set to 185 degrees That is now shut off.
In the old dental lab' there is a water heater tank and lights with a art studio for the grandson. It runs on a separate smart meter ...about $100.00 a month in winter.
After shutting off unnecessary power, monthly power charges dropped to $190.00 in summer....with August around $225.00.
Last September the house a/c burnt out and has not been fixed .
So she has gone up around $300.00 for December and I cannot see how....maybe $50.00 or so for colder weather.
The bill is not itemized and only last Kwh's used. For their claim of 5320 Kwh they are charging $510.00 for power.
They list previous reading : 11359.
Month end reading : 11492....with a multiplier of 40.0000 giving 5320 kwh used.
Their web page has no Tariff or Kwh charge rates. Seems average Kwh rates in Oklahoma are 0.09 per Kwh.
What I cannot fathom is a jump of nearly $300.00 from November to December.
Any power guys help me get a handle on this and any suggestions?
FYI : A residence power costing page .....
http://www.cornhusker-power.com/householdappliances.asp
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